random thoughts - Day 2,034 (Saturday) - dancing ghouls

Icing the shoulder before the apocalypse.

Much of the day was spent lounging about the house, icing the shoulder, and eating soup, and then it was time for makeup and dressing for an event. In October, we temporarily shed the Salaamati World Dance Troupe name and our dances to middle eastern music and become the Dancing Ghouls for guest appearances performing at various Halloween events. Townsend's Haunted Trail was tonight, and next week we are at Pepperell's Fright Night. 

The theme tonight was "apocalypse" and we dressed with our interpretations of it. Costume elements included leather harnesses, chain maille, camouflage, military boots, fake fur, and earthy makeup tones. Like in the past, the younger set jumped in and danced along with us for bits of "Thriller," "Monster Mash," and "Time Warp,"  and as always,  we love it. A couple of our dances were designed for people to be able to jump in and follow along.

The weather was comfortable in the 50s, and I got hot while dancing. I dressed  prepared for autumn chill and had long johns under my camo pants, plus two base layer shirts, a merino wool sweater, a fake fur jacket, and a Finnish lambs wool lined military hat. After each set the hat and jacket came off. 

Line dancing at the Haunted Trail event.

Before we danced, while the vendor tents and food trucks were kicking off the night, the music was heavy on Kidz Bop versions of songs. We danced three sets, spread out over the event to music we provided (not Kidz Bop). After our last set, the DJ changed the kid's music to a rave vibe. We cut loose on the pavement with our "Monster Mash" glow sticks. Two little kids, one dressed in a stripey burglar outfit and the other as bag of money came out and danced with us. Two vendors dressed in cow costumes danced on the far edge of the pavement near their tent. It was fun. After the mini-rave, it was line dances with the ever-popular "Cupid Shuffle" and a couple other line dances. "Cotton Eye Joe" was playing with dancers tearing up the pavement as we made our way to the cars. 

Exiting the event got crazy. We had been told to park on the lawn behind the library and senior center. Normally, we had been allowed to park on the pavement behind the buildings. When we were leaving, there was an abandoned tailgate party set up with lawn chairs blocking part of the grassy space travel lane. Tweens and teens were running around the darkened parking area. The exit, marked by orange cones, was closed off by a couple of vehicles that were parked between the cones. It took some maneuvering to back up, turn around, and go to the far side of the lawn to find some pavement and I was glad I wasn't the driver. 

Next week is our second Halloween event. Two weeks later, we are scheduled to appear in a belly dance showcase. In early December, we are dancing in a belly dance fundraiser. It's a busy couple months. But for right now, it's back to the ice pack.